New York police clamp down on subway dancers

May 10 - Young dance crews on the New York City subway draw praise and ire from commuters. Now police are cracking down on the illegal practice. Vanessa Johnston reports.

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Young people show off their dance moves on the New York City subway.
Andrew Saunders and his crew have been doing this for years.
SOUNDBITE (English) SUBWAY DANCER, ANDREW "BLUEWAFFLE" SAUNDERS, SAYING:
"I dance on the train to stay out of trouble and put money in our pockets."
The problem is it's illegal.
Police say it endangers the dancers and commuters - and that some feel intimidated into giving money.
Dozens of subway dancers have been arrested in recent months, including Damien Morales.
SOUNDBITE (English) SUBWAY DANCER, DAMIEN "LALO" MORALES, SAYING:
"It wasn't cool. Nobody should be detained for doing something positive."
Commuters have mixed reactions to the performers.
SOUNDBITE (English) COMMUTER GRACE CUI SAYING:
"It's ok. It's entertainment."
SOUNDBITE (English) COMMUTER CLEM MCINTOSH SAYING:
"It's very New York."
SOUNDBITE (English) COMMUTER GREG SMITH SAYING:
"They're fun to watch but they're irritating."
SOUNDBITE (English) COMMUTER JARED BROWN SAYING:
"I've almost been kicked in the face once or twice."
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority does hold auditions for dancers to perform off the train, which police say is safer and gives people the option of walking away.

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